“Local sport and commercial fishermen and sport fishermen from all over the world,” Dobbyn said.

The restoration project is part of the Forest Service transition efforts.

The Forest Service’s Transition Framework explores and supports “economic diversification and job creation in Southeast Alaska,” according to the Tongass National Forest website.

The Sitkoh remains productive, according to the Forest Service. Past timber harvest and road construction impacted the river.

“Projects such as the one at Sitkoh are a key component of the economic transition in the Tongass National Forest,” according to the Forest Service. The transition puts priority on young-growth timber management and restoration of salmon habitat. The Forest Service transition also focuses on job creation in emerging and established industries including ocean products, visitor services, timber and renewable energy.

Phase 1 of the restoration project reroutes 1,800-feet of the Sitkoh, which flows down an old logging road. Phase 2 adds large, woody debris to the river to create fish habitat.